The Senate Ethics Committee said today there’s “substantial cause” to believe Rules Chairman Don Balfour violated rules for expense reimbursements. The next step: A settlement with Balfour on public meetings that would air the details of the case.

A judge today dealt a setback to Mary Norwood‘s quest to be elected chair of the Fulton County Commission. The judge’s ruling means Norwood must collect 3,000 signatures more than before to be assured a place on the general election ballot in November.